A ginger Persian Cat lying on the floor

Persian Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

If there were prizes for facial expressions, these guys would win hands down. Persians are the friendliest, most easy-going moggies around. With that thick fluffy coat, short body and flat nose it’s no surprise that they’re one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

But if you’re thinking about getting a Persian, remember that long, beautiful coat doesn’t clean itself! Be prepared for lots of combing, brushing and bathing to help keep your buddy happy, healthy and tangle-free.

Persian Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 16 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium to large
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3 - 5.5 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height
25 - 38 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Quiet, placid
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
15 - 30 mins per day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
High maintenance

Is a Persian Cat Right for Me?

These chunky little cats are the purr-fect blend of chilled out, independent and playful. So whether they’re part of a big family, or it’s just you and your buddy, Persians are equally at home. Persians are the perfect lap cat: docile, gentle and calm. They love to cuddle, but they’re also playful and curious. Your buddy will be just as happy wandering around the house, snoozing on your lap or taking part in a tea party with the kids.

This easy-going temperament also means that your buddy usually doesn’t mind too much if you’re out at the office for most of the day. With a decent selection of toys and some quality time when you get home, they’re happy to entertain themselves.

They might like the occasional stroll around the garden, but Persian’s aren’t really outdoor cats. They’re not that interested in exploring, so whether you’ve got a one-bed flat or a huge pad with acres of land, your buddy isn’t bothered. And whether there are other pets or kids in the house, chances are everyone’s going to get on just fine.

A Persian Kitten on the window sill

What Are Persian Cat Kittens Like?

Persian kittens are super cute, good natured and loving. Kittens are born with a pale coloured coat which darkens as they shed and grow their adult coat. They’re also born with blue eyes which turn a more blue-green or green colour as they get older. Persians mature relatively late and are usually fully mature at around 2 years old.

A grey Persian Cat sitting on a chair

Life with a Persian Cat

Persians love attention, but definitely won’t demand it. Don’t take your buddy for granted; just because they’re not throwing themselves at you the second you get in the door doesn’t mean they don’t need lots of fuss and attention.

Persians aren’t exactly athletes. You won’t see them attempting to scale your bookcase or jump up onto your kitchen worktop, they’re much happier napping. That said, these are pretty smart cats with a strong sense of curiosity, so keep choking hazards and anything else that might cause your buddy harm well out of reach!
Post-nap is usually the best time for a short play session. Persians have short bursts of playful energy, so make the most of these times to help them to stay trim and strong.

Persians also tend to love routine and adapting to sudden change can be hard. So at holiday time, if you’ve got a friendly neighbour who can check in with your buddy a few times each day, this can be a much better option than the cattery.

Caring for Your Persian

Like other pedigree breeds, Persians can be fussy eaters. A strong routine can help you with this; teach your buddy when to eat by choosing a mealtime and sticking to it. And anything “new” should be introduced gradually. If your cat suddenly gets very choosy - and especially if they’ve refused food for 24 hours, it’s time to speak to your vet.

Remember that tangles and matting can cause your buddy a lot of discomfort - so regular grooming isn’t just for show cats. Daily grooming with a stainless-steel comb clears away loose hair - and helps keep your furniture clean! A bath every month is also a good idea. If you haven’t got the time for lots of grooming, then a shorthaired cat breed might be a better choice!

That scrunched-up face means that a Persian’s eyes water regularly. Wipe their face each day with a damp cloth, paying close attention to the corners of the eyes. Once a week, use a cotton bud to remove dirt from the inside of the ears - but be really careful not to probe into the ear canals when cleaning, as this can cause your buddy a lot of problems. Take your buddy to the vet if you see any signs of redness or discharge around the eyes or ears, this could mean infection.

Most cats can be trained to a certain extent, but Persians aren’t that interested! They can be trained to use a litter tray, but that’s probably about it. It’s possible to prevent them from getting up to mischief like scratching the furniture or chewing things they shouldn’t. But it’s not training so much as it is using prevention tactics.

Persians can be lazy if they’re left to their own devices. They love nothing more than lazing about on the sofa or cuddling up on your lap. This means you might have to encourage your cat to get some exercise. Use their favourite toys to get them up and about for some healthy play time.

Persian Cat Insurance

With Everypaw’s Cat Insurance you have a range of Lifetime cover levels to choose from. The different levels range in cover offering up to £10,000 in vet fee cover, so you can find the right insurance to cover for you and your cat.

Persian’s can be known to suffer from health issues, so it can be wise to think about insurance. Everypaw’s Lifetime cover can help, as you can be confident that any new illnesses your Persian suffers from will be covered. That includes the odd little hiccup to long-term ongoing conditions. With Everypaw, your Persian’s in good paws.

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Common Persian Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

Unfortunately, Persians are prone to a couple of inherited health problems. Veterinary experts Vetstream have helped us provide you with all the information you need to know about the conditions you might see in your Persian.

Sadly, the short, flat shape of the Persian’s face can give rise to a few problems. Selective breeding over the years has caused this. Short-nosed, flat-faced cats are called ‘brachycephalic’. BAOS can include jaw deformities, small nostrils and a small soft palate.

These cause breathing difficulties, overcrowding of the teeth, excessive tears from the eyes, and other eye problems. Cats with extreme brachycephaly should not be bred from, even if they have had surgery to correct any problems.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited condition that causes kidney cysts. Kittens are often born with the cysts, but they will slowly increase in size as the cat grows. In affected cats their kidneys will stop working properly as they get older. Persians are especially prone to this condition. They can be tested for the presence or absence of the PKD1 genetic mutation that causes disease. Only cats with certificates showing they don’t carry this gene (i.e. are PKD negative) should be allowed to breed.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a serious heart condition that can be inherited in Persians. The heart muscle becomes thick, preventing the heart from working properly which leads to heart failure. It can also lead to blood clots which can be fatal. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure, but your vet can prescribe long-term medication to help manage the condition.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited eye condition seen in Persians. This is a degenerative condition of the retina. Unfortunately, it’s irreversible and can result in blindness as early as 16-17 weeks old. A DNA test can identify Persian cats that carry the recessive gene that causes PRA. Cats that carry this gene shouldn’t be used for breeding.

Quick Persian Cat Q&A

Persians live between 12-16 years old, but they have been known to live up to 18 or even 20 years. Lots of things affect how long a cat might live for, including their genetic makeup, their diet and general healthcare as well as others.

If you’re buying a kitten, make sure their parents have tested negative for any of the genetic conditions seen in Persians. Regular vet checks throughout your cat’s life will also ensure you pick up any potential problems early which will help them to live long and happy lives.  

Giving your Persian a bath every now and then helps to keep their coat nice and clean. This means it’ll be much easier to groom! If your cat lives indoors you won’t need to give it a bath very often, maybe every couple of months or so. But if your Persian likes to go outdoors and play in the dirt, then regular monthly baths will help to keep them clean. Bathing also keep their coat nice and shiny and reduces shedding which is a bonus.

Persians have lots of identifying features! Their eyes are large, and round and they have a cute rounded, flat face with small flat noses. Their tails are short, straight, and upright. They have short, stocky, muscular bodies and neck. Their ears are small, fluffy, and round. They have a long, silky coat that can be all sorts of colours. Their eye colour relates to their coat colour; you’ll see orange, blue and green-eyed Persians, white Persians are seen with odd-eye colours! 

Persians are prone to tear staining. This is common in breeds with a flat face. Tear staining can be prevented by cleaning away any discharge a couple of times a day. Use some cotton wool dampened with clean warm water and gently wipe the eye. It’s really important to use a clean bit of cotton wool for each eye so you don’t transfer dirt or infection from one eye to the other. Then dry the eyes with a clean tissue.

Yes, Persian cats shed quite a bit due to their long, luxurious coats, requiring regular grooming to manage shedding and prevent matting.

Persian cats are calm, gentle, and affectionate, often preferring quiet environments and forming close bonds with their owners.

That’s All You Need to Know About Persians

Happy to laze around, Persians are sweet-natured and make great companions. They’re high maintenance though so be prepared for daily grooming to keep their gorgeous coats clean and tangle-free. They’ll also need regular baths to look their best. Persians are more suited to being kept indoors and don’t mind if their owner is out all day. They prefer a serene home and regular routine.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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